Golf green repair tool system

ABSTRACT

A golf ball mark green repair tool system including a mechanical ball mark repair tool integrated into a putter handle. The device provides golfers with a ball mark repair tool, installed directly into a putter, to ensure ball marks are repaired in an effective manner. The apparatus includes a repair tool assembly including a top plate having a series of apertures, a cylindrical base including a first-end, a second-end, a canister, a spring mechanism, a prong-unit having at least one prong working in combination. It utilizes the prong-unit dispensing from the tool, entering the ground and pushing the ball mark inward, moving turf back into its proper location.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/625,790 filed Feb. 2, 2018, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of golf and more specifically relates to turf repair devices.

2. Description of Related Art

Golf balls commonly make ball marks on a green when a golfer hits the ball from a considerable distance to the green. If not repaired properly, turf on the green dies from the impact of the golf ball on the putting surface, leading to the green losing luster and looking unprofessional. Some golfers may fail to repair their ball mark which leads to uneven putting surfaces or even further damage of the turf. Other golfers may attempt to repair the mark with a small hand tool; however, golfers may be unaware of how to properly use the tool. A suitable solution is desired.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,977 to John P. MacNeary relates to a combination golf club putter and repair tool. The described combination golf club putter and repair tool includes a golf green repair tool which is mounted within the shaft of a golf club. The repair tool has an elongated support member mounted within the shaft and is secured to a housing having a slot in a wall thereof and being secured within the hand grip end of the shaft. A prong element is hingedly secured within the housing and includes a first member, a second member, and a base element having and engagement notch. The first member of the prong element includes an elongated depression providing a grip for hand operated extension of the prong element from the housing to a golf green repair orientation. A prong lock includes an engagement bar secured within the housing and mounted adjacent to the prong element and positioned so that the prong element presses against and pivots about the engagement bar as the prong element is extended form the housing so that when the prong element is in an opened, extended position, the engagement bar engages the engagement notch in the base element of the prong.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known golf art, the present disclosure provides a novel golf ball mark repair tool system. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a ball mark repair tool, installed directly onto a putter that allows the golfer to repair ball marks on a green quickly, simply, and properly every time.

A golf ball mark green repair tool system is disclosed herein. The golf ball mark green repair tool system includes a repair tool assembly including a top plate having a series of apertures, a cylindrical base including a first-end, a second-end, a canister, a spring mechanism, a prong-unit having at least one prong. The golf ball mark green repair tool system further comprises a golf club having a shaft and a handle end. The cylindrical base is positioned at the handle end. The top plate is positioned at the first-end of the cylindrical base. The at least one prong is configured to eject and retract. The at least one prong is ejected through the series of apertures positioned at the first-end as the spring is compressed. A mounting-member is positioned at the second-end of the cylindrical base. The at least one prong is inserted into a ground surface and the golf ball mark green repair tool system provides a tool and golf club combination for repairing golf green ball marks on the putting surface.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a golf ball mark green repair tool system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the golf ball mark green repair tool system during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the golf ball mark green repair tool system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the golf ball mark green repair tool system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the golf ball mark green repair tool system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the golf ball mark green repair tool system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a golf and more particularly to a golf ball mark green repair tool system as used to repair golf ball marks on the putting greens.

Generally, golf ball mark green repair tool system, entitled “Putter Punch” is a mechanical ball mark repair tool integrated onto a putter handle. The present invention provides golfers with a ball mark repair tool, installed directly onto a putter, designed to ensure ball marks are repaired in a simplistic and effective manner. It utilizes four prongs dispensing from the tool, entering the ground and pushing the ball mark inward, moving the turf back into its proper location. The device includes a spring-based component designed to extend the prongs when the putter handle is pushed into the ground surface. It replaces standard hand tools used to fix ball marks, eliminating the need to constantly bending over and attempting to fix ball marks on the green, or fixing them improperly. The present invention offers a safe, efficient and effective method for repairing ball marks without further damaging greens.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-5, various views of a golf ball mark green repair tool system 100. FIG. 1 shows a golf ball mark green repair tool system 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the golf ball mark green repair tool system 100 may include a repair tool assembly 110 including a top plate 120 having a series of apertures 122, a cylindrical base 124 including a first-end 126, a second-end 128, a canister 130, a spring mechanism 132, and a prong-unit 140 having at least one prong 142 working in functional combination. The top plate 120 is positioned at the first-end 126 of the cylindrical base 124. The at least one prong 142 is configured to eject and retract. The at least one prong 142 is ejected through the series of apertures 122 positioned at the first-end 126 as the spring mechanism 132 is compressed. A mounting-member 136 is positioned at the second-end 128 of the cylindrical base 124. The at least one prong 142 is inserted into a ground surface and the golf ball mark green repair tool system 100 provides a tool for repairing golf ball marks on the putting green surface.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the golf ball mark green repair tool system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the golf ball mark green repair tool system 100 may include the repair tool assembly 110 including the top plate 120 having the series of apertures 122, the cylindrical base 124 including the first-end 126, the second-end 128, the canister 130, the spring mechanism 132, and the prong-unit 140 having at least one prong 142. The golf ball mark green repair tool system 100 further comprises a golf club 10 having a shaft 20 and a handle end 30. The cylindrical base 124 is positioned at the handle end 30. The repair tool assembly 110 is non-removeable from the handle end 30. The cylindrical base 124 being affixed within the handle end 30. In other embodiments, the repair tool assembly 110 is retrofit to the handle end 30.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the golf ball mark green repair tool system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the golf ball mark green repair tool system 100 may include the top plate 120 and the cylindrical base 124 comprising the canister 130 housing the spring mechanism 132, and the prong-unit 140. The cylindrical base 124 is integrated into the handle end 30 of a golf club 10 for providing a convenient ball mark repair tool. The canister 130 of the cylindrical base 124 is hollow allowing it to house the spring mechanism 132. The spring mechanism 132 may further comprise a stabilizing rod 133. The top plate 120 locks to the cylindrical base 124 via a locking pin. The at least one mounting-member 136 is configured to be inserted into the handle end 30.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the golf ball mark green repair tool system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the golf ball mark green repair tool system 100 may include prong(s)-unit 140 having at least one prong 142 to be used with a pushing inward motion to repair a golf ball mark on the putting green. The at least one prong 142 is configured to move turf inward in a gripping manner as the spring 132 is compressed and the at least one prong 142 is inserted into the ground surface. One of the at least one prong 142 is positioned at each of the series of apertures 122 and the prongs 142 are ejected through a corresponding aperture 122. The at least one prong 142 comprises a sturdy material such as metal or other suitable materials.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the golf ball mark green repair tool system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the golf ball mark green repair tool system 100 may include the repair tool assembly 110 including the top plate 120 having the series of apertures 122, the cylindrical base 124 including the first-end 126, the second-end 128, the canister 130, the spring mechanism 132, and the prong-unit 140 having at least one prong 142. The repair tool assembly 110 is approximately 1.5 to 2 inches wide and approximately 3 to 4 inches long. The prong unit 140 may include any number of prongs 142 and is not limited to one, two, three or four prongs. However, in a most preferred embodiment, the prong unit 140 comprises four prongs 142 each having a slight curvature.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
 1. A golf ball mark green repair tool system comprising: a repair tool assembly; a top plate having; a series of apertures; a cylindrical base including; a first-end; a second-end; a canister; a spring mechanism; and a prong-unit having; at least one prong; wherein said repair tool assembly includes said top plate having said series of apertures, and said cylindrical base including said first-end, said second-end, said canister, said spring mechanism, and said prong-unit having said at least one prong in functional combination; wherein said top plate is positioned at said first-end of said cylindrical base; wherein said at least one prong is configured to eject and retract, said at least one prong is ejected through said series of apertures positioned at said first-end as said spring is compressed; and wherein said at least one prong is inserted into a ground surface and said golf ball mark green repair tool system provides a tool for repairing golf ball marks on said ground or putting surface.
 2. The golf ball mark green repair tool system of claim 1, further comprises a golf club having a shaft and a handle end, wherein said cylindrical base is positioned at said handle end.
 3. The golf ball mark green repair tool system of claim 2, wherein said repair tool assembly is non-removeable from said handle end, said cylindrical base being affixed within said handle end.
 4. The golf ball mark green repair tool system of claim 2, wherein said repair tool assembly is retrofit to said handle end.
 5. The golf ball mark green repair tool system of claim 1, wherein said canister of said cylindrical base is hollow.
 6. The golf ball mark green repair tool system of claim 5, wherein said canister houses said spring mechanism.
 7. The golf ball mark green repair tool system of claim 6, wherein said spring mechanism further comprises a stabilizing rod.
 8. The golf ball mark green repair tool system of claim 1, wherein said top plate locks to said cylindrical base via a locking pin.
 9. The golf ball mark green repair tool system of claim 1, wherein said at least one prong is configured to push turf inward in a gripping manner as said as said spring is compressed and said at least one prong is inserted into said ground surface.
 10. The golf ball mark green repair tool system of claim 1, wherein one of said at least one prong is positioned at each of said series of apertures.
 11. The golf ball mark green repair tool system of claim 2, wherein said at least one mounting-member is configured to be inserted into said handle end.
 12. The golf ball mark green repair tool system of claim 1, wherein said repair tool assembly is approximately 1.5 to 2 inches wide.
 13. The golf ball mark green repair tool system of claim 12, wherein said repair tool assembly is approximately 3 to 4 inches long.
 14. The golf ball mark green repair tool system of claim 1, wherein said at least one prong comprises a ridged and sturdy material.
 15. The golf ball mark green repair tool system of claim 15, wherein said ridged material is metal.
 16. The golf ball mark green repair tool system of claim 1, wherein said prong unit comprises four of said prongs.
 17. The golf ball mark green repair tool system of claim 1, wherein said prong unit comprises between one and four of said prongs.
 18. The golf ball mark green repair tool system of claim 16, wherein said prongs comprise a curvature.
 19. The golf ball mark green repair tool system of claim 1, wherein said mounting-member is positioned at said second-end of said cylindrical base.
 20. A golf ball mark green repair tool system, the golf ball mark green repair tool system comprising: a repair tool assembly; a top plate having; a series of apertures; a cylindrical base including; a first-end; a second-end; a canister; a spring mechanism; and a prong-unit having; at least one prong; wherein said repair tool assembly includes said top plate having said series of apertures, and said cylindrical base including said first-end, said second-end, said canister, said spring mechanism, and said prong-unit having said at least one prong in functional combination; wherein said top plate is positioned at said first-end of said cylindrical base; wherein said at least one prong is configured to eject and retract, said at least one prong is ejected through said series of apertures positioned at said first-end as said spring is compressed; wherein said at least one prong is inserted into a ground surface and said golf ball mark green repair tool system provides a tool for repairing golf ball marks on said ground surface; wherein said repair tool system further comprises a golf club having a shaft and a handle end, wherein said cylindrical base is positioned at said handle end; wherein said repair tool assembly is non-removeable from said handle end, said cylindrical base being affixed within said handle end; wherein said at least one mounting-member is configured to be inserted into said handle end; wherein said mounting-member is positioned at said second-end of said cylindrical base; wherein said canister of said cylindrical base is hollow; wherein said canister houses said spring mechanism; wherein said spring mechanism further comprises a stabilizing rod; wherein said top plate locks to said cylindrical base via a locking pin; wherein said at least one prong is configured to move inward in a gripping manner as said as said spring is compressed and said at least one prong is inserted into said ground surface; wherein one of said at least one prong is positioned at each of said series of apertures; wherein said at least one prong comprises a ridged material; wherein said ridged material is metal; wherein said prong unit comprises four of said prongs; and wherein said prongs comprise a curvature. 